Dominican Republic Threatens to Deport 10K Haitians a Week

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – The Dominican Republic announced an “immediate” plan to deport up to 10,000 migrants a week as it ramps up enforcement along its border with Haiti, despite U.N. pleas not to expel people to its conflict-hit neighbor.

If implemented, the plan would mark significant growth in deportations after more than 200,000 Haitians were forcibly returned last year, according to U.N. data. The plan calls for more border inspectors, surveillance drones, and the building of “temporary repatriation camps,” while taking into account both security and human rights, according to officials.

The number of Haitians internally displaced has nearly doubled in six months, surpassing 700,000, as gangs expand to areas around the capital.